Mayor: Residents Should Report Outages, Check on Neighbors

Chatham Township Mayor Nicole Hagner said residents with continued power outages should make sure to call JCP&L.

"If you don't call, they don't know that your power is out," Hagner said. "I know it's frustrating to go through all the little prompts, but that's how they know to check on that [area.]"

Hagner said the building at 45 Spring St. would be open Wednesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for residents to warm up and charge their electronics. There is no internet available from the building.

Hagner also said the township has "secured additional resources to get the debris cleared" from township streets. The state is providing extra crews of workmen to remove trees and get primary utility wires functional again.

Several neighborhoods in Chatham Township, including the Rolling Hills section, Meyersville Road, Sterling Drive, Crestwood Drive and Williams Road. and are both without power, and power is intermittent at .

JCP&L crews were working on Shunpike Road Tuesday evening trying to restore power. employees are also working throughout town to clear roads, but they cannot restore power or work with utility wires.

The Chatham Township Municipal Building is without power. All calls are being rerouted to the Chatham Township Police Department, which can be reached at (973) 635-4600.

"I know people are frustrated," Hagner said. "We're trying to work with JCP&L to get the power back on ... [and] get reimbursed for damage caused by this latest storm."

Hagner said she contacted the governor's office to discuss the slow response to the damage in Chatham. "After Irene we had meetings with the state [to make] sure the power companies have the appropriate infrastructure to respond to emergencies like this," she said. "I think throughout the state you can hear that people are frustrated with the response."

Hagner asked that residents check on each other, especially those with elderly or confined neighbors. "It's been very much appreciated," she said.

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